Katha Kutcheri by Sri.Dushyanth Sridhar and Carnatica Bros (K.N. Shashikiran & Ganesh) @ SIFA, San Jose

[KrithikaRajagopal]

Katha Kutcheri - The new buzz word in the Carnatic music scenario has been gaining popularity over the last few years. Quite different from a Harikatha, this format brings out the best of two worlds and one can witness the beautiful marriage of our ancient literature along with their melodic interpretations.

Carnatica bros and Sri.Dushyanth Sridhar introduced this idea to the San Jose folks in all its grandeur. The concert was hosted by SIFA. The theme chosen was “Srinivasa." The concert started off with a brisk Nera Nammithi in KAnada after which Sri. Dushyant Sridhar started his oration. With the charisma which is much needed among the artistes today, humor, and his command over the language, one could not help but pay attention to every detail that was being portrayed beautifully. After introducing the theme of the concert, his immediate reference to Annamacharya’s devotion to the Lord in Tirupathi paved a natural path to the rendition of Sriman Narayana in Bowli which came up next. Immortalised by Sri. M.S Subhalakshmi, it was quite a treat to hear the Carnatica brothers render this song.

Saraseeruhasana Priye in Nattai was the next flavor which came after Sri.Dushyanth touched on the story of how Brahma was cursed by Brigu Muni because Brahma did not give the attention that Brigu Muni seeked. At this point, i could see most of the people amongst the audience quickly looking up Dushyanth Sridhar to find out more about him. This curiosity among people were by itself a sample of how effective the his way of communication was. Needless to mention, Sri. Dushyanth Sridhar is on his first tour in the US (as announced in SIFA).

Theratheeyaga radha in Gowlipantu by Saint Tyagaraja came next and was a beautiful contrast to Nattai. This song set up the mood for the concert. We then travelled to Parka Parka in Harikambodi by GopalaKrishna Bharati as Brigu Muni travelled to Lord Siva and finally reached Venkatachalapathey in Karnataka KApi as Brigu Muni finally reached Lord Vishnu. Clearly, the songs and the stories were intertwined and very well orchestrated. VenkatAchalapathey, being a manipravAlam by Muthuswami Dikshitar, was rich in literature and musically intense too. Carnatica brothers handled this composition effortlessly and sang with it crystal clear pronunciation.

Sarnaguna palimpa was the main piece for the evening and the brothers sang a beautiful Kedaragowla. It was melodious sans repetition of phrases. Kedaragowla was etched in every note that the brothers produced.The Kalpanswaram was nothing less than a beautiful musical conversation between the brothers and the violin. The response from Sri. Sampath on the violin was very apt. His violin sounded very smooth and pleasing to the ears. Sri. Murugabhoopathy on the mridangam played an electrifying tani which contrasted well with the soft violin.

Next came Purandaradasa’s deveranama in Nadanamakriya - DAsana mAdikko yenna. VenkatAchala nilayam and Kurai Ondrum illai were rendered one after the other leaving the audience soaked in devotion, bhakti and melody. The mangalam was not the traditional TyAgaraja mangalam or DashAvatAra mangalam - but a mangalam by Annamacharya befitting the theme. Adivo alladivo in Madhyamavati ended this beautiful journey of experiencing Lord Srinivasa.

[rshankar]

Isn't this the format that Smt. Vishakha Hari has made her own? A sort of triSanku svargam between a kutcheri and a harikatha (some will argue it's neither, while others will defend it by saying it's the best of both worlds / perhaps the truth is somewhere in between!)
In any case, thank you for the review. I've come across Srī Dushyant's clips on YouTube- do you know if NJ is on his current tour path???

[rajeshnat]

Isn't this the format that Smt. Vishakha Hari has made her own? A sort of triSanku svargam between a kutcheri and a harikatha (some will argue it's neither, while others will defend it by saying it's the best of both worlds / perhaps the truth is somewhere in between!)

ravi,
Vishaka Hari brands her appearances as sangeetha upanyasam . We have katha kalakshepam, harikatha and sangeetha upanyasam . Now we have
Katha kutcheri , where kutcheri is by carnatica brothers and katha is by dushyanth sridhar.

[KrithikaRajagopal]

Please see http://www.carnaticworld.com/index.php/ ... thers-tour for more information.

[rshankar]

Please see http://www.carnaticworld.com/index.php/ ... thers-tour for more information.

Thank you...I see a 'Sangeetha upanyasam' scheduled in NJ - now to make sure that I am in town...

[vasanthakokilam]

I have heard good things about this group as well.